Exeter big Sleep Out 2026: take on the cold to support homeless residents

Exeter residents are being urged to spend a night in the cold at St James Park next month, swapping the comfort of their own beds for sleeping bags, to raise funds and shine a spotlight on the city’s ongoing homelessness crisis

Exeter City Community Trust will host its annual Big Sleep Out at St James Park on March 20, inviting participants to spend the night outdoors inside the football stadium to raise money for its Supported Housing programme.

The event comes as Exeter City Council confirmed that rough sleeping figures have dropped to an all-time low of 11. 

The official count, carried out on the night of 11 November 2024, recorded 11 people sleeping rough on the city’s streets.

Like all local authorities in England, Exeter is required to conduct a one-night rough sleeper count between 1 October and 30 November each year.

 The latest count was organised by the council’s commissioned partner Julian House, alongside representatives from St Petrock’s as an independent partner, and verified by Homeless Link. 

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Five teams surveyed known rough sleeping locations across the city centre, outskirts and river routes between 1am and 5am.

Welcoming the reduction, Cllr Marina Asvachin, Lead Councillor for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services, said: “Eleven people sleeping on our streets is still 11 people too many.”

She added: “Whilst the annual count provides a snapshot of rough sleeping, we recognise that the numbers fluctuate and may not tell the full picture, and over the past year, Julian House’s Rough Sleeping Prevention Team has identified additional rough sleepers.

“Currently, our data indicates there are 14 individuals who regularly sleep rough in Exeter, demonstrating that there is still significant work ahead to end rough sleeping in the city.”

Frontline charities say the picture on the ground can be more complex than the annual snapshot suggests. 

St Petrock’s, which works directly with people experiencing homelessness, estimates that between 25 and 35 people may be sleeping rough in Exeter on a typical night when wider outreach intelligence is taken into account.

Broader homelessness pressures extend beyond rough sleeping. In 2022–23, more than 1,100 statutory homelessness cases were recorded in Exeter - households assessed as being owed housing support under homelessness legislation. 

This includes people in temporary accommodation or at immediate risk of losing their homes.

St Petrock’s has also raised concerns about the impact of cold weather on those without shelter. 

A spokesperson said: “What we’re seeing on the ground during this cold spell is extremely concerning. This weather is genuinely life-threatening for people who are sleeping rough. When someone’s core body temperature drops, it can seriously affect their vital organs, especially if they already have pre-existing health conditions.”

The charity runs a weekday day centre in Exeter offering access to warmth, food, showers, clothing and phone charging. “Our clients often call us the ‘fourth emergency service’,” the spokesperson said. 

“Most importantly, we offer a space that is safe, non-judgmental, and provides some respite from life on the streets. Rough sleeping is dangerous at the best of times.”

Under national guidance, councils must activate the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) when temperatures are forecast to fall below zero for three consecutive nights, including “feels like” temperatures, requiring emergency accommodation to be offered to anyone sleeping rough. 

However, charities say support pressures remain high even when the protocol is not in place.

Exeter City Community Trust says its Big Sleep Out aims to raise both funds and awareness of the challenges faced locally. 

Its Supported Housing programme provides accommodation and intensive one-to-one support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, helping them maintain tenancies and move towards independent living.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Jamie Vittles, Chief Executive of Exeter City Community Trust, said: “Homelessness is a growing issue in our region and far too many people are facing uncertainty about where they will sleep each night.”

“Through our Supported Housing programme, we provide safe accommodation, guidance and practical support to help people rebuild their lives.”

“The Big Sleep Out not only raises crucial funds, it also raises awareness of the issue of homelessness in our city.”

Registration for the March 20 event costs £15, with participants encouraged to raise at least £100 in sponsorship. 

Members of the public concerned about someone sleeping rough are advised to call 999 in an emergency or contact StreetLink, which connects rough sleepers with local outreach teams.